UI to host national dialogue on mother-tongue education policy

University of Ibadan Senior Staff Club has concluded arrangements to set a national agenda on the future of language in Nigeria’s education system, with a high-level intellectual discourse scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

The event, to be held at the University of Ibadan, is the fourth edition of the club’s monthly forum and is themed “Education in the Mother Tongue in Nigeria: To Be or Not to Be?”

According to the organisers, the dialogue comes amid heightened national attention over the possible cancellation of the National Language Policy, which advocates the use of mother tongue in early primary education.

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The development has triggered intense debate among educators, parents, and policymakers.

While proponents argue that children learn better and develop stronger cognitive abilities when taught in their first language, critics point to the practical difficulties of implementation in a country with over 400 indigenous languages.

The discourse will feature Francis Egbokhare, a leading figure in linguistics and former president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, as the keynote speaker. He is expected to examine the viability of mother-tongue education using insights from decades of research.

Chairing and moderating the session is Durotoye Adeleke, a professor of Yoruba literature and film studies at UI, whose work explores the connection between language, culture, and national development.

Also on the panel is Clement Kolawole, Vice-Chancellor of Trinity University and an expert in curriculum and language education. With over 150 publications, he is expected to provide perspectives on how policy can be effectively implemented in classrooms.

Providing a government viewpoint, Bamidele Oyinloye, Permanent Secretary at the Oyo State Ministry of Education, will address the role of state authorities in enforcing educational standards and bridging policy with practice.

The organisers noted that the discourse is more than an academic exercise, describing it as a crucial national conversation on identity, equity, and the future of education in Nigeria.